The Ashley Theatre
was built by Pastime Amusement Company to serve St. Andrews Parish.
It was the last theater built by Pastime.

Chuck Cromer,
of Charleston, wrote us that he remembers the Ashley Theatre well and
the Saturday afternoons he spent there in his childhood.

“This single
screen theatre was my hangout as a kid since it was within walking distance
of my home. I grew up in the Westwood neighborhood which is between
Avondale and Moreland. My buddies and I would stop by Stephen’s
Candy Store, just around the corner, and load up before going to the
movies. I can still remember getting two caramels for a penny. We saw
such pictures as Sampson and Delilah, Gone With the Wind, and William
Castle’s 13 Ghosts with those classic glasses so you could see
the ghosts.”

Chuck West, a friend
who now lives in Texas, wrote us regarding the Ashley Theatre.

“I do remember
an experience at the Ashley Theatre in St. Andrews Parish. A friend
and I rode our bicycles down to the theater to see a Frankenstein movie
one afternoon. It was early evening when the movie let out— just
starting to get dark. The perfect light to hide spooks in the shadows,
but enough to allow us to see the glint in their yellow-green eyes.
I don’t think I had ever peddled my bike as fast as I did that
evening. Luckily, we made it home without an encounter with Dr. Frankensteins
creation.”

At this time, the
Ashley Theatre is a women’s consignment store. The ticket booth
is still there as is the lobby. The auditorium floor slopes toward the
stage. The small stage with its tidy proscenium is there with two sets
of footlights that fold into the floor. The small window used by the
projectionist is there and still works.

On either side
of the stage are doors. One leads onto the stage. The one on the right
side of the house leads down to a service area. The original load-in
double doors used to bring any needed stage scenery or equipment into
the building are still in place.

From The Evening
Post, Charleston, SC, February 18, 1950

"• •
• The Ashley Theatre offers a modest seating capacity, sufficient
we believe to take care of the present patronage. It is equipped with
standard projection and sound systems - modern theatre seats have been
installed - a heating plant that introduces moisture and fresh air,
well filtered, will keep the theatre comfortably warm in winter - an
air conditioning plant will maintain temperature at a refreshing degree
during the summer - a sprinkler system, a safeguard against fire, has
already been completed - concrete floors and masonry walls add up for
additional fire protection - a small size stage has been provided and
on occasions, amateur contests or small size stage shows my be presented.

• •
• The initial policy calls for the presentation of four different
programs each week - two day programs will be offered on Mondays and
Tuesdays and on Thursdays and Fridays- one day programs on Wednesdays,
Saturdays and Sundays.

• •
• Theatre will open at 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday, with
a 2 p.m. opening for Saturdays and Sundays - performances will be continuous.

• •
• A parking lot, with a capacity of approximately 150 cars, surrounds
the theatre on three sides - the us of this lot will be free to theatre
patrons.

• •
• The management will gladly cooperate with any civic organization
in St. Andrews Parish, that may wish to make use of the theatre at other
hours of the day, when it is not in regular operation.

• •
• The erection of the Ashley Theatre would have taken place several
years ago - but for the ban placed by the government on theatre construction,
which was extended far beyond the actual emergency period.

• •
• A further delay was caused when a change of architects was considered
advisable and in this connection, we take the opportunity of commending
Mr. Augustus E. Constantine, local architect, for the nice layout that
he has given us - also to express our sincere thanks to the different
contractors and craftsmen, who contributed their skill diligently in
various ways, in making the Ashley Theatre a cozy and attractive little
playhouse."

Reference Materials:

"Announcing
the opeinging of the Ashley Theatre"
The Evening Post, Charleston, SC - February 18, 1950